5. BRATISLAVA-KOMARNO-MISKOLC-KOSICE-PRESOV-BARDEJOV

6. KOMARNO-BUDAPEST-DUNAFOLDVAR-DUMBOVAR-KAPOSVAR-BALATON-BUDAPEST-KOMARNO

7. DEBRECEN-VOJVODINA-SERBIA

8. SUMAVA-CESKY KRUMLOV-CESKY BUDEJOVICE

9. EDINBURGH-HANNOVER-POZNAN-WARSAW-PRZEMYSL-TRUSKAVETS-VATRA DORNEI-BRASOV-SIBIU-BAILE HERCULANE-VRNJACKA BANJA-BELGRADE-BUDAPEST-BAD FUSSING-BAD MUNSTER-EDINBURGH

9. EDINBURGH-HANNOVER-POZNAN-WARSAW-PRZEMYSL-TRUSKAVETS-VATRA DORNEI-BRASOV-SIBIU-BAILE HERCULANE-VRNJACKA BANJA-BELGRADE-BUDAPEST-BAD FUSSING-BAD MUNSTER-EDINBURGH

1st real day and weather got up to 32 degrees. Didn't think the scooter would like the motorway but it is outperforming everything up to 90 mph.  I refuse to go faster.  My clothes are very good but like being in a sauna all day.  I went to the sauna 2nite and came back along the autobahn at 80 mph with only sandals, shorts and tee shirt and tried not to think about breaking every bone in my body in an accident. If i don’t lose any weight in this heat then there is seriously something wrong with me.  Get cramps in my legs and then have to rest but I've discovered the cure - stop and drink water. Very simple but effective. Just had one near miss today, overtaking at 85 mph and the stupid kraut didn't let me out.  Good brakes on the scooter too. It's a shame it has taken me a year to take the bike for a spin but I am really looking forward to leaving the boredom of the German autobahns (although never dull at 85 mph, trying to look at a gaps for the next junction with sun in your eyes) and taking on the crap Polish roads and then through the Carpathian Mt’s.  I can deal with the heavy clothes but i regret not taking my open face helmet. I sometimes have to open the visor to get a grasp of air however breaking my jaw in a crash is not too appealing.  I went to a nice spa today however it was starker’s night.  Funny how people walk around naked then put on a towel to hide their modesty.  Rather too late for that.  Tomorrow to Poznan, another sun gobbling 320 miles.  Did 280 today but it is harder on a bike especially with the heat, leg cramps and soaking clothes.  Missing my morning alarm clock, maccavity.  I hope he's not too lonely but he'll be happy with his bed and the neighbour will be back from holiday with the mutt for mac to steal her food and lie on her couch.  However it gives some time for my arms to recover from his scratches.

Neck is screwed. Will have therapy next week. Bulging disc. Wearing a collar for a few days otherwise it will slip out. Hopefully good for Thurs and the next part of trip.

The holiday has finally started. Left the kids, the lego, the lost dummies and crying behind and am on the road.  I am in Przemysl just 10 miles from Ukraine.  Tomorrow I hope to get to the spa by 13.00 to make the most of it.  Just need to sort out the green card.  I am now wearing a special collar around the neck while riding like the ones in rally driving use.  It is much better and acting as suspension for the helmet.  This is now real Eastern Europe - not much food for veggies, hot, dusty roads, bumpy and ruts in roads, over polluted trucks and not much sugar free foods and drinks except for water. I spent nearly £500 in Warsaw on therapy and tests

Finally made it to an oasis in the middle of nowhere.  60 fracking miles in 3 hours.  Ghastly roads.  Remind me of roads I travelled in 1992 and 2001 but then again that was also Ukraine.  Nothing has changed apart from Internet and Cash Machines.  4 star hotel with small swimming pool, sauna, cinema and bar.  I have 4 free procedures this weekend - teeth laser, magnetic ultrasound, ozone injection and something else.  Having a Thai Massage tomorrow.  3 meals a day but very healthy, 4 courses each, mine without meat. Should be a relaxing weekend. I have been the only English speaking guest for yonks’ so they are being especially nice.  The only problem will be getting out of this hellish country. I swear the roads are the worst i have ever seen.  Drivers don't give a shit about one another, they just care about avoiding potholes and some are a meter wide and 30 cm deep.  Riding is simply watching and swerving and driving wherever there are no holes and that sometimes means on the other side.  If a car sees me coming and sees a hole there is only one choice for him.  Thank god for the collar this is protecting my neck.  Petrol is only 80p a litre but I would rather pay £1.30 if that meant no potholes. Monday is going to be a fracking nightmare going to Romania.  I also got a green card.  It would have cost 180 PLN but that's only for Poles so I bought it in Ukraine for 18 PLN.  Stares everywhere I go.  Everybody is very friendly but think I am nuts for travelling 2000 km for a weekend in their hotel. Maybe they are right.  But this is the most exclusive hotel in the region and will cost £200 for the weekend for everything.  

Just had my first colon irrigation. Worried at start when i saw a hot water bottle and long tube but that was only the start then they used a machine. Rather uncomfortable but cleansing. Most of the procedures here are for one week visits and not for the weekend. Will just try and relax but only until mon then i have no idea if i will make it to the next hotel in rom. 400 km in one day on crappy roads. The hotel is already paid for and no refund but only 30 euro. Cannot find a good road out of Ukraine. Hope Mon is better with Ursula around.

Welcome from Ukraine, the land of spas, mountains and potholes.  I have travelled 2000km on my scooter through Germany and Poland.  The holiday has really started.  Hot weather, nice water, friendly people and good beer.  I am in a spa hotel in Skhidnitsa in the Carpathians across the border from Bieszczady in Poland.  What a difference.  The spa is very nice with lots of treatments, a swimming pool, sauna, etc. but the food is simple, roads are terrible and not very many shops.  It took me 3 hours to go 60 miles because of the potholes.  The temperature is now 32 degrees and getting warmer.  It is very hot on the bike.  Tomorrow I am going to Romania however there is a 50 % chance of not making it because of the terrible roads and crazy drivers.  I will spend 5 days travelling in Romania before entering Serbia.  I have booked another spa there in Banja Vrnjacka for 5 days and then I will go back to Scotland.

Just one more day of this healthy living.  I really couldn't take much more.  I would certainly be much healthier and lose a lot of weight but in the wrong way.  Breakfast was boiled potatoes, cucumber and tomatoes.  I had to beg for yoghurt.  All meals are just vegetables and sometimes rice or buckwheat.  Of course I told them i was vegetarian so no meat or fish but they also seem to think that everything else is bad for diabetes including all protein.  I have had no eggs, cheese or soya although I doubt it even exists in Ukraine so very good diet but on leaving will just put the weight back on unless it is the same in Romania and Serbia.  I have hunger pains all day so am drinking a lot of their crappy water from the spring, which is good for the stomach, liver, kidneys and bile but not for the taste buds.  I am also drinking tea in the sauna.  They also make you wear a silly hat in the sauna.  I'm going to buy one and see what the reaction is in Scotland. People come here from all over Russia and Ukraine.  I met a guy yesterday who travelled 1300 km by train to get here.  My only sin this weekend was to buy a Pepsi max and it took a long time to find it.  I found out the average wage here is 100 euro a month.  A room here costs 70 euro a day, a kilo of meat £4-5.  I reckon a lot of people work on the black market and don't pay taxes, which is why the roads are so shit as well as the rest of the infrastructure but I'm sure coca cola and other large companies are not complaining. I read Michel Platini is pleased with the progress of the football for next summer in Ukraine.  Am i seriously in the same country.  I'm sure he flew in and stayed at a very nice hotel and that they tarred the road from the hotel to the stadium just for him. God help anyone who drives to this country or takes the train or bus.  The roads in Poland are pure bliss compared to here.  I have been given a decent route tomorrow.  I have been told the first 30km are shit and the rest should be OK but I presume the guy has a lada and drives like a snake avoiding the holes.  I had a Thai Massage yesterday, a real one.  The Thai girl stood on top of me while pulling my limbs. I also had an ozone injection into my neck, which hurt like hell but is supposed to be good for you.  This morning I woke up with a sore throat and had inhalation and a blast of quartz into my mouth. It seems to have worked but wouldn't recommend.  I'm going to have an underwater massage today after ultra sound into my shoulder.  Looking forward to going to Romania but not the trip.

Just 70 miles to rom border and minus one hour. Do you realise i am sending you an email from the middle of nowhere and i can’t even find veggie food. The further south the hotter. Now 33 degrees on bike therm.

Ok. Sorry. If you want to feel better i was stung by a wasp and it’s painful. Imagine you are the wasp. No more open air vents in my jacket. Making good progress but hot as hell and i am burning up.

Finally in the rom carpatys after 12 hours on the bike. Separated by a border but what a difference. Tourism is booming, nice roads, and only one hole in 95 miles. 4 days of serpentine roads, mtn passes and looking at the view and not for holes. Fine weekend. Cleaned out toxins and no more cramp on bike but ukr roads have knackered my knee. Stopped by ukr police for speeding and told them their roads were shit and they should be ashamed to stop people. No penalty. Totally drenched in perspiration so going to take nice bath and look forward to Dracula 2row

Another day gone and now in Poiana Brasov.  8 hours on the saddle and drenched in perspiration again at the end of the day but well worth it.  Stunning scenery, great roads, if a little bumpy at times, and weather from a cool 19 to warm 33.  50 miles down a valley, 15 mile around a lake, 30 miles up a canyon and windy roads to 1800 metres and down again then 120 miles along a flat valley overtaking with enjoyment.  There's nothing like the Romanian Carpathians.  I've done a similar thing on the bicycle but all I seem to remember is a chemical plant and huffing and puffing up a hill then cursing at the top as i was knackered.  Now i can enjoy the scenery and take photos along the way and not have a heart attack.  I've been in Ukr Carpathians but here the roads are miles better, tourism is booming and there is more infrastructure.  Neck and shoulder still aching but collar makes it tolerable and knee gives way towards the end of the day.  Another two days of this plus Dracula's castle.  A Romanian biker told me of a 2000 metre pass that is stunning.  Just a small detour but it will be like a serpentine road in the Alps.  Bit disappointed by the hotel tonight.  Advertised with swimming pool and spa however they are still building it.  I have sent a complaint to booking.com.  Tomorrow a short trip to Dracula and then Sibiu and the Hilton for £50.  I want to get there early to make the most of the spa facilities and because i have never stayed in the Hilton.  Where I am now is the centre for mountaineering and skiing and 35 euro for 4 star hotel is not bad as the views are magnificent.  Thurs. I hit a real Romanian (Roman) Spa.  I am spending a night in a hotel with its own thermal, sulphur pool for 30 euros.  Friday I hit Serbia (below) and 4 days of bliss before making it home.  I have 4 days in the pool and fitness, 4 days in the spa, 4 massages and half board.  I should be regenerated for the trip back.  However I think it is similar to the Ukrainian owned spa - Mafia.  Don't really care how they launder money so long as water and food are good.  The place I was at in Ukraine was only built 6 months ago by people from Kiev and it is aimed at rich lawyers and judges (maybe for bribes).  I have to say the scooter is great, it handles the curves well at 70 mph, overtakes well at 85 mph, suspension is good and goes up those mountain roads like a bat out of hell.

Wed pm. Half a day off from the bike. Going to Sibiu zoo as there will be no gypsies then pm in the spa. Done 2000 miles.

Help me out.  I have two choices tomorrow.  The highest route (shorter) or the second highest (longer) to the next hotel.  I would ask Paulina but she never replies.  The second highest was on Top Gear.  Let me know what you think if you have time.

Highest

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

  (Redirected from Transalpine Pass)

The Transalpina or DN67C located in the Parâng Mountains group, in the Southern Carpathians of Romania, is one of the most spectacular roads of the Carpathian Mountains. It connects Novaci, south of Parâng Mountains, to Sebeş in the north.

It is said that the road was built under King Carol II and rebuilt during World War II by German troops and it is called The King's Road by the locals. Also a story has it that Nicolae Ceauşescu had the Transfăgărăşan Road (DN7C) built during the communist regime just to surpass the Transalpina.

The road has its highest point at Urdele Pass, where the elevation is 2,145m above sea level. Given the high altitude, the road is closed during the cold months of the year. Works began in 2007 in order to transform this spectacular road into a modern highway (148 km), allowing a rapid transit between Oltenia and Transylvania.

Rânca, a newly developed resort, is located towards the south end of the Transalpina road.

Second highest

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates:  45°35′25.14″N 24°37′42.35″E

The Transfăgărășan (trans (over, across) + Făgăraș) or DN7C is the most dramatic and second-highest paved road in Romania. Built as a strategic military route, the 90 km of twists and turns run north to south across the tallest sections of the Southern Carpathians, between the highest peak in the country, Moldoveanu, and the second highest, Negoiu. The road connects the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia, and the cities of Sibiu and Pitești.

The road was constructed between 1970 and 1974, during the rule of Nicolae Ceaușescu. It came as a response to the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union. Ceaușescu wanted to ensure quick military access across the mountains in the event the Soviets attempted a similar move into Romania. Consequently, the road was built mainly with military forces, at a high cost both financially and from a human standpoint—roughly 6 million kilograms of dynamite were used on the northern face, and the official records mention that about 40 soldiers lost their lives in building accidents.

Panoramic view (from Bâlea Lake to Avrig)

Transfăgărășan in 1974.

Same section of the road as above in 2007.

The road climbs to 2,034 metres altitude. The most spectacular route is from the North. It is a winding road, dotted with steep hairpin turns, long S-curves, and sharp descents. The Transfăgărășan is both an attraction and a challenge for hikers, cyclists, drivers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike. Due to the topography, the average speed is around 40 km/h. The road also provides access to Bâlea Lake and Bâlea Waterfall.

The road is usually closed from late October until late June because of snow. Depending on the weather, it may remain open until as late as November. It may also be closed, at times, because of weather conditions (it occasionally snows even in August). There are signs at the town of Curtea de Argeș and the village of Cartisoara that provide information on the passage. Travellers can find food and lodging at several hotels or chalets (cabane) along the way.

It has more tunnels (a total of 5)^[1] and viaducts than any other road in Romania. Near the highest point, at Bâlea Lake, the road passes through Bâlea Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in Romania (884 m).

Among the attractions along the southern section of the road, near the village of Arefu, is the Poienari fortress. The castle served as the residence of Vlad III the Impaler, the prince who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula character. There is a parking area and a path to the ruins.

The northern section is used as a part of yearly cyclist competitions Tour of Romania (Romanian: Turul României). The difficulty of this section is considered to be very similar to Hors Categorie climbs (literally beyond categorization) in the Tour de France.

Hard day. 185 miles of twists and turns and 10000 m of ups and downs then just to finish it 15 miles of bumps and holes. Dangerous, hard, tiring, exciting and fun at the same time then nearly died at the spa. 44 c water, scalding with sulphur then a cold swim. Still shaking. Never felt such heat. 2row Serbia and rest for 4 days before 4 days of slog on the way back.

I've finally arrived in Serbia and boy is it hot.  It is a whopping 37 degrees in the air and 43 degrees on the tarmac and i had to ride for 9 hours in this. .   50 hours on the bike this week and never below 33 degrees except for half an hour at 2150 metres.  Thank god I have a/c in the room.  It's a nice enough hotel but it's more of a hospital for people with diabetes, losing weight and rheumatism.  Perfect for me.  For the next 4 days I'll be swimming, saunaing, thermal bathing, in the gym, and having massages.  I'm really looking forward to Sunday and my Choco-mint thermal wrap.  I got in this evening and had a foot massage and a cold bath (only 34 degrees).  That's actually cold for me now after this heat and my bath yesterday, which was 44 degrees.  It's a shame to be leaving the Romanian Mountains but it is nice to be amongst a nation that I nearly understand (my Serbian is a bit rusty).  5 days of twists and turns (more than an Agatha Christie novel) really took its toll on me.  There's no wireless in the room, which is probably a good thing as i can socialise but there is the reception and bar and i love Serbian beer after 9 hours in a sauna (bike).  Breakfast and dinner are both Swedish buffet, which is also a good thing.  Tonight i had spinach, pots, salad, cauliflower in batter, some kind of Serbian ikra followed by a peach and a pear and a plum in a doughnut.  Just as healthy as Ukraine but my doing.  However I couldn't really find anything unhealthy to eat.  There is a separate section for diets but it really must be bunny food with no taste.  Just really Serbs and Russkies here. I spoke to one guy from Moscow in the bath and he pines for the Soviet Union and the old days so I am hoping i can fulfil a lifetime ambition and be recruited by a KGB agent here.  Most of the people here don't have a bloody clue where Scotland is and do not know that we speak English.  As I said my Serbian is a bit rusty.  I have to remember that naprawo means straight on otherwise i will be going around in circles.  I don't have a map of Serbia and the gps only has one road so getting here was a challenge in the heat.  Getting home will be easier but i must say i am not looking forward to it.  I have 1100 miles to do from Thurs to Sun.  It does not seem like much but it is motorway all the way and very hot.  Don't know whether to book places beforehand by planning the journey or stopping when I am tired.  The second option is not so good as you can't really haggle at the hotel whereas I can book online and get some bargains.  

Don't know if I will be in touch much over the next few days as i want to chill out and not contact the outside world however I will try and check my email every day.

2row is the last day of rest before the long slog home. I must say it has been nice. Had a mud pack, roman bath, Jacuzzi, sauna and thermal bath. Also saw the doctor. This hotel is a specialised diabetes hospital. She thought i should stay a few more days but i am not flying back. Also paid for all over hot choc massage, face mask and massage and neck and shoulder for £40. 2row neck and shoulder massage, velvet mud pack and roman bath, thermal bath, sauna, swim, algae heat wrap and jacuzzi. Believe it or not it is very tiring and sore. I have bruises all over and my feet are raw from the pedicure. But she finely sanded my feet. Also put my hands in hot wine paraffin. Going for a swim 2nite then watch the football. Not booking anywhere on the way back. If i get to Amsterdam early i know what will relax my shoulder muscle. It is going to be a painful journey back.

25 miles from Belgrade. 40 degrees in the air and 48 on the road. Hot with bike suit but burning with less. Looking forward to cold, wet Scottish air.

A more manageable 31 today. I screwed up with the tel. All the emails, Google maps, gps, bbc, etc. in Ukraine and Serbia cost me £300. A high price for convenience. Forgot it was outside eu. 

I had hoped Austria would be cooler but wouldn't you know it they are going through a strange mini heat wave.  The worst day so far.  It started at 31 then went up to a scorching 48. Totally dehydrated again.  It goes out faster than it goes in.  Once again I hope it is cooler in Germany 2row as I feel like crap.  I've had diarrhoea for bloody 2 weeks now ever since i arrived in Ukraine.  I've tried Serbian meds and Hungarian meds but nothing doing.  Must be a nasty little bug. On the German/Austrian border after a gruelling 8 hours and 325 miles.  In Bad Fussing, very apt name for me and 2 row in Bad Munster.  I didn't choose the places deliberately, they were just equal distances.  Feet have blisters from the heat and my face is sunburnt even though i have a full face helmet.  Luckily this hotel has a thermal pool, 36 degrees, just enough to cool me down.  A Black scooter, thick black bike gear and black tarmac are not a good combination.  They've never experienced this heat in Austria before.  Spoke to a couple of bikers and they said at the same time last year it was 8 degrees, if only.  I'd better not go to the Arctic next year otherwise it could spell the end, global warming.

What a difference a day makes. 12 degrees and raining. I'm the only person smiling in Germany.

I know i wanted it a bit cooler but bez przesady. 12 degrees and 6 downpours of rain. On the plus side jacket is clean, on the negative it is not waterproof. Soaked to the skin and freezing by 18 at the hotel. I think i preferred hot and sweaty. Nice part of Germany shame only 4 hours to look at it. Good news the runs have miraculously gone for now. Still a bit of a gut ache. Must have been all day on only water and it being sweated out of me. 2row a 270 mile dash for the ferry. I should make it on time.